Bradford Bulls current squad depth assessed ahead of Super League return

Bradford Bulls are back in Super League, and they are already putting their plans in place as they prepare to return to the top flight for the first time in 12 years.

The Bulls join York Knights and Toulouse Olympique in making the leap, and new boss Kurt Haggerty has confirmed eight signings ahead of next year, with the majority of those already established Super League regulars.

Andy Ackers joins from Leeds Rhinos and Rowan Milnes returns following his departure from Hull KR. Ethan Ryan was the latest addition, coming back to his boyhood club after six seasons away.

Fan favourite Eribe Doro links up with his former side, whilst Salford duo Loghan Lewis and Jayden Nikorima will continue to play in the top flight next year.

The Bulls finished third in the regular Championship season, and after a brilliant first half in the playoff semi-final against Toulouse, led an 18-point lead slip as the French side came back to cement their place in the Grand Final.

Despite that, it was still a great season for Bradford, and under the tutelage of Brian Noble, as they finished in third for the third straight season, certifying their place amongst the Championship’s elite.

A 10th place ranking on the IMG gradings meant that they earned Super League promotion automatically, in what shows the huge strides the club has made both on and off the field.

All the talk will obviously be about Odsal, and whether the stadium is fit enough to host Super League. Nevertheless, the Bulls have earned the right to play in the top tier, and are well on their way to creating a squad that is capable of keeping them in the top flight, not just for 2026 but the seasons ahead too.

Brandon Douglas, a prop forward released by Halifax Panthers this off-season, is their latest signing, and with that in mind, we have taken a look at how the Bulls’ current squad depth looks like.

Bradford Bulls contracts and squad depth assessed ahead of Super League return

Haggerty has said he is looking bring in at least a dozen new additions in order to be competitive next year. As mentioned, eight new faces have already linked up with the squad, meaning that the Bulls currently have 19 players under contract for 2026 as it stands.

The retiring duo of Michael Lawrence and Chris Hill are two of eight confirmed departures this off-season, with Jordan Lilley another that won’t be at the club next year, following his move to Sheffield Eagles.

There are 20 players who were at the club in 2025 that have deals for next season, including former Super League men Waqa Blake, Jayden Okunbor and James Donaldson. Blake and Okunbor found life in the top flight difficult in their first stint, but have developed well at Bradford and are ready to go when it comes to competing with the best the Northern Hemisphere has to offer.

There are three players whose futures aren’t confirmed yet, with the club either remaining in talks or not yet announcing their departure. Former Wakefield man Jorge Taufua headlines that trio, with ex-Warrington prop Zane Musgrove another.

Bradford Bulls players under contract for 2026: Andy Ackers*, Guy Armitage, Cameron Bate, Jacob Bateman, Waqa Blake, Logan Bayliss-Brow, James Donaldson, Eribe Doro*, Brandon Douglas*, Zac Fulton, Will Gardiner* Matty Gee, Jamie Gill, Sam Hallas, Luke Hooley, Joe Keyes, Alfie Leake, Loghan Lewis* James Meadows, Ronan Michael, Rowan Milnes*, Jayden Nikorima*, Jayden Okunbor, Elliot Peposhi, Ethan Ryan*, Ebon Scurr, Mitch Souter, Emmanuel Waine

*Denotes new signing

Bradford Bulls players undecided/unconfirmed for 2026: Sam Ackroyd, Jorge Taufua, Zane Musgrove

Bradford Bulls departing players: Kieran Gill, Chris Hill, Tom Holmes, Michael Lawrence, Jordan Lilley, Bayley Liu, Nathan Mason, Tyan Ott

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